A growing grassroots movement

Arts may be giving more people a reason to volunteer

By Jerome Keating / Contributing reporter

Taiwan’s expat community is also finding art to be a less threatening environment for involvement. Jonathan Burke, a director in the customer service field, is a permanent resident in Taiwan who has long been involved in volunteer work.

“It is an expression of my Christian faith to assist and help socially marginalized groups.”

In 2011, he started participating in photography workshops that help Aboriginal youth expand their artistic expression.

Yosifu says government assistance is important, but that the grassroots may be where it’s at, and that art is proving to be the medium.

“I came to find a sense of pride and acceptance in Europe first by trying modern art. Success there led me to realize I should also be proud of my indigenous heritage and incorporate that into my art. I even took back my tribal name, Yosifu. Now I return regularly to help others,” he said.